Hi,
I currently have about 7 degrees outdoor temperature in December. The humidity level in the basement is unknown. There is no strange odor, etc. But presumably, the previous owner used plastic paint. It is peeling off in some areas. When I measured it, I found that I have a moisture content of about a maximum of 20% in the concrete. What is your opinion? Should I scrape off the paint and plaster, and replace it with real silicate paint, or install new drainage around the house?
Thank you very much for serious answers.
Best regards,
Fredde
I currently have about 7 degrees outdoor temperature in December. The humidity level in the basement is unknown. There is no strange odor, etc. But presumably, the previous owner used plastic paint. It is peeling off in some areas. When I measured it, I found that I have a moisture content of about a maximum of 20% in the concrete. What is your opinion? Should I scrape off the paint and plaster, and replace it with real silicate paint, or install new drainage around the house?
Thank you very much for serious answers.
Best regards,
Fredde
Hello busy bee,
The humidity in the basement should be 55-60%. If the humidity is too high, for example, 80%, mold growth can start. At 100%, the moisture condenses - it falls out as water droplets on, for instance, windows. And that's really bad.
Get a hygrometer and always have one in the basement, garage, and similar places, so you can monitor when you're close to the threshold values. They cost a hundred or two at hardware stores.
You can get an idea of the moisture level on your floor; place a piece of plastic on the basement floor and leave it for over a day, then check the amount of moisture collected on the "ceiling" of the plastic bag, so to speak.
Since the basement is below ground, there is always moisture outside the walls and floor, so check the house's drainage and water disposal possibilities and ensure they are functioning, as they might be clogged.
If they work but still have moisture, you have the following options;
1. Dig up, install pordrän (or similar) Platon, preferably insulate and refill with drainage gravel/macadam/capillary-breaking masses
2. Improve ventilation, install mechanical ventilation and preferably a dehumidifier, also make sure you have functioning fresh air intakes
3. Insulate the basement floor, at least 200 mm
4. If not insulating the floor, ventilate the floor according to Nivell or similar systems
5. Avoid wooden studs and other organic materials
The plastic paint should of course be removed to open up the wall and instead use silicate/lime or similar diffusion-open paint.
There is no definite answer, but start measuring humidity levels, remove the plastic paint, and increase ventilation. If you don't want to/can’t drain right now, install a dehumidifier and monitor the moisture values.
If you want to regularly use the rooms in the basement, I would suggest excavation for insulation and floor heating, preferably waterborne. After the drainage. Work from the outside in.
However, I did the opposite and am planning drainage in the coming spring.
The humidity in the basement should be 55-60%. If the humidity is too high, for example, 80%, mold growth can start. At 100%, the moisture condenses - it falls out as water droplets on, for instance, windows. And that's really bad.
Get a hygrometer and always have one in the basement, garage, and similar places, so you can monitor when you're close to the threshold values. They cost a hundred or two at hardware stores.
You can get an idea of the moisture level on your floor; place a piece of plastic on the basement floor and leave it for over a day, then check the amount of moisture collected on the "ceiling" of the plastic bag, so to speak.
Since the basement is below ground, there is always moisture outside the walls and floor, so check the house's drainage and water disposal possibilities and ensure they are functioning, as they might be clogged.
If they work but still have moisture, you have the following options;
1. Dig up, install pordrän (or similar) Platon, preferably insulate and refill with drainage gravel/macadam/capillary-breaking masses
2. Improve ventilation, install mechanical ventilation and preferably a dehumidifier, also make sure you have functioning fresh air intakes
3. Insulate the basement floor, at least 200 mm
4. If not insulating the floor, ventilate the floor according to Nivell or similar systems
5. Avoid wooden studs and other organic materials
The plastic paint should of course be removed to open up the wall and instead use silicate/lime or similar diffusion-open paint.
There is no definite answer, but start measuring humidity levels, remove the plastic paint, and increase ventilation. If you don't want to/can’t drain right now, install a dehumidifier and monitor the moisture values.
If you want to regularly use the rooms in the basement, I would suggest excavation for insulation and floor heating, preferably waterborne. After the drainage. Work from the outside in.
However, I did the opposite and am planning drainage in the coming spring.
Start taking the paint to a paint management for analysis.
If it's plastic paint, you'll need to redo it properly.
If it's already a breathable paint, perhaps drainage or external conditions need to be reviewed.
Then you should consult a drainage contractor on what suits your house best. Usually, 2x isodrän or pordrän works.
If you have a lot of slope towards the house, you may need to complement with something like platon.
If it's plastic paint, you'll need to redo it properly.
If it's already a breathable paint, perhaps drainage or external conditions need to be reviewed.
Then you should consult a drainage contractor on what suits your house best. Usually, 2x isodrän or pordrän works.
If you have a lot of slope towards the house, you may need to complement with something like platon.